Celebration Stateside

With a big celebration brewing in Illinois, we knew we needed to send some representatives from our side of the pond.  Hannah and I were the lucky ones!

Grainy iPhone Photo Before Take-off

All my sisters were flying or driving in so an even bigger celebration began to brew.  It was an all-out family reunion (minus a few spouses and children)!

It was the first time in 2 1/2 years that all of us siblings had been together.

Will is still in the center of it all and joked that he is the glue that keeps us all together.  We knew there was a reason the only boy was smack dab in the middle!

With the short amount of time that we had, there were definitely things on the ‘to do’ list – –

Nauvoo, IL –

Eliza put in motion our trek to Nauvoo.  For some reason, all of us had forgotten how long it takes to get there – 4 hours!  Not the shortest of day trips, but definitely worth it!

Hannah and Aunt Eliza

We got to picnic by the Mississippi and enjoy the Midwest in the spring.

Shaun & Martha

Martha and her husband, Shaun, came on the trek as well.  It was great to finally meet Shaun as they celebrated their 2 year anniversary during our trip.

When we finally rolled into Nauvoo, we started out at the temple.  It has changed since I have been there.  I don’t remember this statue there . . .

. . . but as I read the plaque below, I knew I needed to get a picture of the two brothers looking at the temple.

What a tender moment to immortalize in this statue!

The Family at the Nauvoo Temple

While Eliza went in to do a session at the temple, the rest of us went exploring.  First stop . . . Fudge Factory!

Hannah and Grandpop

There is nothing like a solid chocolate brick from Nauvoo.  We left it behind and opted for a chocolate covered pretzel stick instead.

However, we did visit the brickyard to learn why bricks are so important in Nauvoo.  All the supplies were right there to make them along the Mississippi River.

A trip to the blacksmith was a definite must-see.  The elder who was giving us the tour was fairly new, but he had worked around horses all his life.  His insight was wonderful . . and he was so thankful to be learning a new trade . . .

. . . that of making miniature horseshoes to send home as souvenirs.

We did stop by the Smith Family homes for a quick peek, although these aren’t owned by the LDS church, and not open without an appointment.

We were able to see Hyrum & Joseph Smith’s gravestones, as well as Joseph’s wife, Emma’s.

Our last stop before heading home for the day was the sculpture garden.  Dad had some pictures of the girls (Eliza and Martha) from this exact garden years ago that he wanted to relive with the girls being grown.

The garden is very peaceful and the sculptures are so inspiring, touching on many of life’s tender moments.

St. Louis Arch –

One morning, Mom granted my one request while I was in St. Louis – to go up the St. Louis Arch.  I think living in London has made more of a tourist out of me.  You have to remember to be a tourist in your own city!

Morning Sun at the Arch

We had all been to the Arch and even to the museum down below but never up inside!  Mom, being scared of heights, had never done it either.  Will convinced her that she could do it so she put on a brave front and accompanied Hannah and me.

Grandmom and Hannah

After a long walk in the museum, waiting for our allocated time to the top, we began queuing for our turn to go up.  We ended up standing in line for ages!  It just so happened that there were some problems on the little ‘tram’ for the group ahead of us.  That made Mom feel really confident that this was a good idea . . .

Waiting at Door #1

The pods you ride up in were not too bad, especially when you don’t have to share it with anyone else!  Mom was eyeing the stairs we could see out the door windows – if we happened to break down, there was a quick way down!

Hannah & Grandmom in the Pod

We finally made it to the top – 630 feet up!  I’m not sure Mom will do it again, but she did it!

Grandmom & Hannah at the TOP!

The view from the top was great.  I love the green space they have kept just in line with the Arch!

When we made it back down from the Arch, it was time to find Will and his wife, Danielle, (and Eliza) who had come to meet us for brunch.

Will & Danielle at Rooster’s

Will had been wanting to try Rooster’s for awhile so it was a great excuse.  Some of the group had an all-out breakfast, while others had salads or crepes.

Hannah opted for the s’more crepe and said it was deliciously sweet!

Hangin’ Out –

Even with so many things to do in the St. Louis area, sometimes it’s just fun to relax and just enjoy talking with the family.   We did a lot of that, which is so easy to do at Mom and Dad’s.   You are so far removed from neighbors that you just enjoy being away from the outside world and hearing the sounds of nature.

View from Mom and Dad’s

When you are ready for an actual activity, Will is always up for fishing or practicing shooting the bow.

Hannah & Will

Will is so great with the kids and even let them talk him into going fishing in the heat of the day, when he knew nothing would be biting.  He also let the kids keep shooting the arrows, even though he knew they’d probably end up embedded in the ground and end up lost.  He is just an awesome uncle!  It’s all about the moment, not the results.

Celebration:

Then, of course, the cause of all the celebration and us all coming to Illinois in the first place?  Will was graduating from Southwestern Illinois College (in Construction Management)! I can’t say enough how proud I am of Will.  He literally started from ‘ground zero’ and, in the last 11 years, has molded himself into something extraordinary!  This was his first graduation ever (other than 8th grade graduation) so we definitely had reason to celebrate!

Becca & Will

To add on to Will graduating, Dad was earning his second associates degree as well.  What a great opportunity to walk at graduation together!

Will, Danielle, Mom, Dad

To add on to that excitement, Dad was nominated to be the student speaker.  After interviewing all the nominees, Dad was asked to speak.  What a great family affair this was turning out to be!

Dad’s speech was great – he even made the audience laugh a few times!  His topic of choice was how technology keeps evolving and we need to stay up with it, being a life-long learner.  He took his old slide rule as a prop . . .

Dad After Walking Across Stage

Both Dad and Will graduated with honors while working and going to school full-time.  Just amazing, knowing how physically taxing Will’s day job is (roofing).

Will Receiving Diploma

Will, ‘the Graduate’

It’s probably not every day that a father and son receive a diploma at the same school – they became a media highlight.

Will and Dad

The following Saturday, we had a graduation party at a local park.  Danielle organized everything to a “T” and it was fun to be there to celebrate with everyone.

Party Pavilion

After eating our fill, it was time for gifts.

Dad got an engraved pocket watch, but was perplexed because he said they are for retirement and he’s not ready to retire yet!  He secretly loved it!

Will was a happy man with his new fryer.  He loves to have fish fries and can now fry the fish and fries at the same time, while reusing the oil from his pump.  Someday we’ll have to experience one of his fish fries!

Uncle Will and Hannah

It was a great trip – full of great family times and being there for Will.  Have I mentioned how proud I am of him?!  Whenever I see him, he just makes me happy.  He is a changed man who has settled into himself and is happy with who he is.  I love that!